Graduate School of Public Policy
Master in Public Administration
The Master in Public Administration (MPA) is an 18-month full-time program designed for professionals seeking rigorous education and training in public administration.
MPA Program
The Master in Public Administration (MPA) is an 18-month full-time program designed for professionals seeking rigorous education and training in public administration.
The mission of MPA program is to provide mid/senior level practitioners with academic and professional education which will inform their working practices and raise the standard of governance in Kazakhstan and Central Asia.
The Program schedule involves an evening/weekend learning format which is designed to help students integrate their studies with personal and/or professional responsibilities. MPA students can choose to specialize in one of 4 tracks (economic policy, international political economy, public governance or sustainable development) to enhance their career prospects.
On successful completion of the program, graduates will have the ability to:
1. Lead and manage in the public interest;
2. Participate in and contribute to the policy process;
3. Analyze, synthesize, think critically, solve problems and make evidence-informed decisions in a complex and dynamic environment;
4. Articulate, apply and advance a public service perspective;
5. Communicate and interact productively and in culturally responsive ways with a diverse and changing workforce and society at large.
Professional competency: In addition, the program will ensure that students learn to apply their education, such as through experiential exercises and interactions with practitioners across the broad range of public affairs, administration, and policy professions and sectors.
1. Lead and manage in the public interest;
2. Participate in and contribute to the policy process;
3. Analyze, synthesize, think critically, solve problems and make evidence-informed decisions in a complex and dynamic environment;
4. Articulate, apply and advance a public service perspective;
5. Communicate and interact productively and in culturally responsive ways with a diverse and changing workforce and society at large.
Professional competency: In addition, the program will ensure that students learn to apply their education, such as through experiential exercises and interactions with practitioners across the broad range of public affairs, administration, and policy professions and sectors.
Master in Public Policy program is accredited by the European Association for Public Administration Accreditation (EAPAA) and the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA).
Upon completion of an academic program, students will be awarded the Master in Public Administration degree.
Lectures, seminars, tutorials, flipped classrooms, blended learning, laboratory practicum, individual and team projects, independent study, field trips (including overseas), simulation, case studies, other methods.
Examinations, term papers, essays, presentations, final projects, case studies, reflective practice, portfolio, quizzes, debates, role play, audio/video production, peer and self-assessment, other methods.
Progression.To continue in the program, students must be in Good Academic Standing at the conclusion of each grading period as determined by:
- minimum CGPA for Good Academic Standing is ≥ 2.67; and
- timely completion of milestones for Master’s Project with Overseas Component.
- Successful completion of all core and elective modules in the program as outlined in the Curriculum;
- Completion and successful defense of the Master’s Project with Overseas Component.
The program structure includes the following key components:
1. Orientation Week. It is the first week in MPA program. The purpose is to prepare students for the program, and forge bonds among them as classmates. Before arriving for the Orientation Week, students must have submitted all required documents and have completed any pre-assigned work.
2. Core Courses – courses that all students are required to complete within the program.
3. Elective Courses – courses that MPP program students can select from among alternatives. Elective courses are subject to change as they are based on students’ interests/preferences, faculty availability and program design.
4. Master’s Project with an Overseas Component.
The Master’s Project is a final requirement for students on the MPA program. It may be conducted as a public policy or management exercise. In both cases, it is expected to be an exercise in which students will be able to apply relevant knowledge and skills gained during the MPA program including: defining and structuring the problem; organizing data; defining and carrying out analysis of the issue; developing specific action recommendations; and defending their findings publicly. The Master’s Project is an opportunity for students to focus on a policy problem of their own preference in greater depth than is available in a classroom setting. The Master’s Project will include identification of a public policy problem, preferably in the Kazakhstan or Central Asia context, its analysis from a theoretical or empirical prospective, and in case of practical exercise, formulation of a policy proposal and a feasible program of implementation.
The overseas component (currently in Singapore) normally takes place at the end of the first academic year (Summer semester), where students learn about Singapore’s approaches in long-term urban planning and development through lectures and learning journeys, reflect on the lessons learnt and whether/how they could be applied or adapted to the context of Kazakhstan. This can be particularly useful for students who are working on their Master’s project.
1. Orientation Week. It is the first week in MPA program. The purpose is to prepare students for the program, and forge bonds among them as classmates. Before arriving for the Orientation Week, students must have submitted all required documents and have completed any pre-assigned work.
2. Core Courses – courses that all students are required to complete within the program.
3. Elective Courses – courses that MPP program students can select from among alternatives. Elective courses are subject to change as they are based on students’ interests/preferences, faculty availability and program design.
4. Master’s Project with an Overseas Component.
The Master’s Project is a final requirement for students on the MPA program. It may be conducted as a public policy or management exercise. In both cases, it is expected to be an exercise in which students will be able to apply relevant knowledge and skills gained during the MPA program including: defining and structuring the problem; organizing data; defining and carrying out analysis of the issue; developing specific action recommendations; and defending their findings publicly. The Master’s Project is an opportunity for students to focus on a policy problem of their own preference in greater depth than is available in a classroom setting. The Master’s Project will include identification of a public policy problem, preferably in the Kazakhstan or Central Asia context, its analysis from a theoretical or empirical prospective, and in case of practical exercise, formulation of a policy proposal and a feasible program of implementation.
The overseas component (currently in Singapore) normally takes place at the end of the first academic year (Summer semester), where students learn about Singapore’s approaches in long-term urban planning and development through lectures and learning journeys, reflect on the lessons learnt and whether/how they could be applied or adapted to the context of Kazakhstan. This can be particularly useful for students who are working on their Master’s project.
Admission to the MPA program is merit-based. Award of all types of scholarships is carried out based on the competition. NU offers the following funding options:
– Government funding: the Nazarbayev University educational grant (Government-funded scholarship) funded by the Government, covers full tuition fees and a monthly stipend. Government-funded scholarship is not offered to applicants who previously received the same degree under the state educational order or under the Bolashak international scholarship. This scholarship is also not available for the applicants who previously studied at Nazarbayev University and had been dismissed for disciplinary reasons. The number of grants is annually approved by the Governmental Decree of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
– “Abay Kunanbayev” scholarship: “Abay Kunanbayev” scholarship is named after Abay Kunanbayev (1845-1904) a Kazakh poet, a great thinker, composer, philosopher, the founder of the Kazakh written literature. This scholarship is specifically designed for foreign citizens and persons without citizenship and awarded on a competitive basis. This scholarship is funded by Nazarbayev University and covers tuition fees, a monthly stipend and basic medical insurance. The scholarship is provided for an entire period of the specified program. Number of scholarships is annually approved by Nazarbayev University.
– Fee-paying education and discounts: admission to a fee-paying education is available to candidates who meet all admission requirements, are recommended for admission. Number of seats for a fee-paying education is approved annually by the Nazarbayev University depending on the capacity of the Schools.
– Government funding: the Nazarbayev University educational grant (Government-funded scholarship) funded by the Government, covers full tuition fees and a monthly stipend. Government-funded scholarship is not offered to applicants who previously received the same degree under the state educational order or under the Bolashak international scholarship. This scholarship is also not available for the applicants who previously studied at Nazarbayev University and had been dismissed for disciplinary reasons. The number of grants is annually approved by the Governmental Decree of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
– “Abay Kunanbayev” scholarship: “Abay Kunanbayev” scholarship is named after Abay Kunanbayev (1845-1904) a Kazakh poet, a great thinker, composer, philosopher, the founder of the Kazakh written literature. This scholarship is specifically designed for foreign citizens and persons without citizenship and awarded on a competitive basis. This scholarship is funded by Nazarbayev University and covers tuition fees, a monthly stipend and basic medical insurance. The scholarship is provided for an entire period of the specified program. Number of scholarships is annually approved by Nazarbayev University.
– Fee-paying education and discounts: admission to a fee-paying education is available to candidates who meet all admission requirements, are recommended for admission. Number of seats for a fee-paying education is approved annually by the Nazarbayev University depending on the capacity of the Schools.
Program Tuition: US $16 000 per academic year
Per 1 ECTS: US $267
Special Discounts:
Per 1 ECTS: US $267
Special Discounts:
- 75% discount for socially vulnerable groups
- 50% discount for employees of state institutions and state enterprises of the Republic of Kazakhstan
- Discount for employees of Nazarbayev University and its subsidiary organizations, including family members (children and spouses): 70% (local hire), 50% (international hire)
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